School-based social and emotional instruction

There is strong evidence that school-based social and emotional instruction increases academic achievement^{1, 3}, self-confidence, commitment to school³, social and emotional skills, and prosocial behavior among participants^{2, 4}. Such interventions have also been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal among participating youth² and increase high school completion rates among youth at risk of dropping out of school⁵. Interventions appear effective in urban and rural schools, and in schools in communities with low incomes^{4, 6, 7, 8}. Effects can be strongest with younger children, especially when interventions in later years reinforce earlier messages³.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions for pre-K through grade 12 have been shown to improve math, reading, and science achievement; effects on science achievement are smaller than effects on math and reading¹. Whole class interventions and interventions that focus on children who have demonstrated social and emotional difficulties appear effective^{3, 6}. Whole class SEL interventions, especially those that include older children or cognitive behavioral interventions, also improve anger management and reduce violence, bullying, and conflict. However, interventions that focus only on children who have demonstrated violent or bullying behavior can increase problematic behavior, especially when peer-based interventions group these children together^{3, 9}.

Studies of Second Step, a SEL program, show significant reductions in delinquent behavior, leading to reductions in bullying and aggressive behavior^{10, 11, 12}. Participants who began the school year with fewer skills than their peers show substantial improvements in social emotional competence and behavior¹³. Studies also suggest that high quality implementation (defined by adherence, dosage, and competency) is associated with better program outcomes^{14, 15}.

Research suggests that SEL program benefits can be similar for students regardless of socio-economic background, race, ethnicity, or school location⁴. Minority students may benefit from having early access to SEL instruction and SEL interventions may mitigate factors that put students at risk for poor social, emotional, and behavioral development⁹. Overall, additional research is needed to understand differential effects of SEL instruction^{9, 16}.

Interventions that focus directly on social and emotional outcomes and communicate specific, well-defined guidelines, goals, and rationales are more effective than those that do not³. Interventions lasting nine months or more yield stronger effects on behavior, mental health, violence, and bullying than shorter interventions. Shorter interventions can improve mild difficulties with conflict, anxiety, or emotions, however, single, brief interventions do not appear effective³. SEL programs that use a coordinated sequence connecting activities to objectives, active learning to reinforce new skills, focus on developing personal or social skills, and explicitly address social and emotional skills—all four components of SAFE (sequenced, active, focused, and explicit) practices—achieve the broadest range of possible outcomes².

Whole class, teacher-led interventions can be more effective than specialist-led interventions, especially for academic outcomes^{2, 3}. Researchers suggest that SEL interventions involve teachers to ensure that SEL skills are incorporated into daily school life³. Afterschool interventions also appear effective⁶. Implementing SEL interventions with Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) interventions can lead to significantly greater improvements in overall mental health and greater reductions in externalizing behaviors, including defiant, angry, argumentative, aggressive, or disruptive behaviors, than implementing either intervention alone¹⁷.

As of 2022, 27 states have social and emotional learning (SEL) standards for preschool through grade 12. All 50 states have SEL standards for preschools. Forty-four states have web pages that provide guidance, tools, and resources to support implementation of SEL in schools¹⁸.

There are several SEL curriculum programs available for purchase, such as PATHS and Second Step^{19, 20}.